Back to nights

[missourinurse2b, BSN, RN]

Hello everyone!

Hoping to get a bit of advice. I have not worked nights in 5 years, been working ICU for 3 years on days and until the past year, I have been able to handle the stress of the job because I could come home and unwind. Long story I won't get into....my husband and I are raising our 3 young grands ( ages 9,5, and 2) for the past year. I simply can't deal with the higher stress of day shift and find that nights are for the most part, a bit less hectic, so I am returning to nights. I also find I can rest better in a MUCH less hectic house with the kiddos being at school or daycare. I have a hectic 12 hr hour shift then come home to a chaotic house...after working a couple of volunteer night shifts, I felt RELIEVED and RESTED, hence my decision to go back to nights full time. However, if my memory serves me right, I also remember it was hard to get my body to adjust to nights. I would love to hear any advice or tips on " surviving night shift" from those of you who have been successful at making it work. Thanks in advance!

["nursy", RN]

I think the people that have it the hardest are ones that try to switch back and forth. I pretty much stayed on night schedule all the time, (with minor adjustments). That worked very well for me.

[kp2016]

I stacked my nights together and then had a run of days off. I found this the easiest for my sleep routine on days off. I also silenced my phone while I was asleep so I could not be woken in the middle of my sleep to ask if I would work that night.

[StrwbryblndRN]

Knowing that your rest time will be more quality will be your key to night shift, since you find the dayshift hectic and stressful already. If you know you will get sleep, the rest is cake. Get a routine, work out the bugs and it will iron itself out.

Just do not go back and forth from days to nights. My husband has worked it all. Switching was by far the worst for his body.